Amidst a controversy over appointment of directors of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the Government said it was committed to protecting the autonomy of the elite educational institutes.
Minister of State for HRD D Purandeswari told Rajya Sabha in a written reply that there has been no change in the established procedure of selection of the IIM Directors.
She also said the Government is committed to maintaining the autonomy of the IIMs as well to ensure that they are centres of excellence.
Elaborating on the procedure for selection of an IIM Director, she said the appointment is made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on the basis of recommendation of a search-cum-selection committee constituted for the purpose.
In accordance with this procedure, Prof Samir Barua was appointed to the post of Director, IIM, Ahmedabad with effect from November eight this year, she said.
Purandeswari also said the Government has set up a review committee on the IIMs and one of the terms of reference for the panel is to look at expansion plans of the institutes during the next decade, and particularly during the XIth Plan, with a view to optimal utilisation of the existing capacities.
There has been a controversy over the appointment of IIM-A Director, with complaints from certain sections that the Government was interfering in the process of selection of the IIM head.